The board of health shall have power to compel any property owner to connect his property with the public storm sewers, whether such property abuts on any of such sewers or not, when in their judgment they shall deem it necessary for the public health of the persons residing on such property that the same should be drained, and shall have power to compel any such owner to construct a sewer upon his own property when they deem it necessary for the public health of the persons living on such property or in the neighborhood. In case the owner shall fail to make the connection ordered by the board of health, or to construct a sewer when directed to do so, the city engineer may cause such connection to be made, and the cost and expense thereof shall be collected as herein set forth. (Code 1953, § 16.8.)